PTA Chairman Explains Why TikTok Live Still Works in Pakistan

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is unable to entirely block users in Pakistan from accessing TikTok Live due to the feature's availability via virtual private networks (VPNs), according to PTA Chairman Hafeez Ur Rehman during a Senate committee meeting. The topic of discussion centered around the potentially harmful content on TikTok Live, which has been a point of contention during the Senate IT committee meeting on Thursday.

Senator Afnan Ullah Khan highlighted the presence of inappropriate activities on the platform, alleging the creation of blasphemous material by some users. Senator Kamran Murtaza further claimed that such content was deliberately being circulated to incite social tensions. NCCIA officials informed that they send written requests to the PTA when they identify unlawful content that requires action.

The PTA chairman clarified that the regulator blocks offensive material upon receiving and verifying complaints. This ongoing debate has reignited discussions on how authorities can enforce local regulations when restricted platform features can still be accessed through alternative means.